Monday, November 18, 2013

AM calls for meeting over Llan bank closure

CLWYD South Assembly Member Ken Skates has called for a meeting with bank bosses after HSBC announced the closure of another branch in his constituency.

Labour AM Mr Skates is trying to arrange talks with the company’s hierarchy to see if anything can be done to stop the Llangollen branch shutting in February.

He said: “Since the announcement earlier this month I have been contacted by several constituents who are angry and upset about the proposed closure, which follows the closure of banks in Cefn Mawr, Rhos and Corwen in the past few years.

“Since the Corwen branch closed in October last year, my constituents there have had to travel to Llangollen for banking services – now they will be forced to travel more than 20 miles to Wrexham. People in Llangollen also now face a 24-mile round trip.

“I understand the Llangollen branch is due to hold an open day on Thursday (November 21) to celebrate 150 years of banking in the town, but if they go ahead with the event I think it shows just how badly they’ll have misjudged the public’s mood.”

Mr Skates added: “While HSBC’s decision appears to be final, as an elected representative it is my job to do everything I can to try and convince the company to rethink – and that’s exactly what I intend to do.”